Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, inaugurated the IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025-26 for the North-East at Gauhati University. This event marks the first time the premier national skilling championship is being held in the Northeastern region, aimed at providing youth from eight states an opportunity to compete across 26 skills. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation, seeks to empower local talent by bringing national-level competitions closer to home.
The inauguration was attended by notable figures such as Gauhati University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta, and key officials from the Assam government and the Ministry of Skill Development. In his address, Chaudhary emphasized the Prime Minister’s commitment to the North-East, which has fostered renewed confidence and opportunity for the region’s youth. He described IndiaSkills as a celebration of excellence and a platform that showcases the potential of the region’s talent to contribute to India’s skilled workforce and overall growth.
Chaudhary also highlighted the critical integration of skilling with formal education, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He argued that connecting education with skill development enhances employability and entrepreneurship opportunities, preparing youth for a dynamic economy.
The competition has attracted 162 participants from all eight Northeastern states, showcasing a wide array of skills ranging from contemporary digital technologies to traditional trades. Skill categories include automobile technology, cloud computing, software development, digital media, electronics, welding, fashion technology, and hospitality, among others. This year’s event also signifies a notable increase in women participating in historically male-dominated fields, indicating a progressive trend in gender integration within technical trades.
The IndiaSkills competition uses a multi-tier evaluation process, beginning with district-level assessments, which progress to state and then regional competitions. Top performers will qualify for the IndiaSkills National Competition and the chance to represent India at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in 2026. The Regional Competition reflects a robust strengthening of the skilling ecosystem in the North-East as part of the Skill India Mission.
